Load driving device

ABSTRACT

A load driving device includes: an output power device for driving a load; a driving IC for controlling the output power device, wherein the driving IC is electrically coupled with the output power device through a wire or a connection member; and a first electrode substrate. The output power device and the driving IC are mounted on the first electrode substrate. In this case, the output power device is controlled with high speed, and a mounting area of the output power device and the driving IC is reduced.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications No. 2006-156686 filed on Jun. 5, 2006, and No. 2007-116133 filed on Apr. 25, 2007, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a load driving device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A load driving device is shown in, for example, JP-A-2005-175130. The device includes an inverter, a signal generator and a control circuit. The signal generator receives a signal from the control circuit and generates a PWM (i.e., pulse width modulation) signal, which provides to turn on and off an output power device of the inverter. The inverter includes the output power device such as an IGBT, a driving IC for receiving the PWM signal from the signal generator and for operating to switch on and off the output power device, and a reverse parallel connection diode for flowing current from an emitter to a collector in the output power device. The output power device and the reverse parallel connection diode are sandwiched between two electrode plates.

In the above load driving device, the output power device and the reverse parallel connection diode are mounted on the same electrode plate. However, there is no disclosure in JP-A-2005-175130 that the driving IC is also mounted on the same electrode plate.

Accordingly, a wiring distance for electrically connecting between the output power device and the driving IC may become longer. Thus, a control speed of the output power device is reduced. Further, the output power device is provided by a body different from the driving IC, i.e., the output power device is an independent body from the driving IC. Thus, a mounting area becomes larger.

Thus, it is required for the load driving device to minimize the dimensions of the device and to improve the control speed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-described problem, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a load driving device.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a load driving device includes: an output power device for driving a load; a driving IC for controlling the output power device, wherein the driving IC is electrically coupled with the output power device through a wire or a connection member; and a first electrode substrate. The output power device and the driving IC are mounted on the first electrode substrate. In this case, the output power device is controlled with high speed, and a mounting area of the output power device and the driving IC is reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a load driving device includes: an output power device for driving a load; a driving IC for driving the output power device, wherein the driving IC is electrically coupled with the output power device through a wire therebetween; a power device electrode substrate; and a driving IC electrode substrate, which is independent from the power device electrode substrate. The output power device is mounted on the power device electrode substrate. The driving IC are mounted on the driving IC electrode substrate. The power device electrode substrate together with the output power device and the driving IC electrode substrate together with the driving IC are integrally sealed with a resin mold to be a package.

In the above device, since the wire between the output power device and the driving IC is short, the output power device is controlled with high speed. Further, an electric potential of the driving IC electrode substrate can be set to be different from an electric potential of the power device electrode substrate.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a load driving device includes: a power device for driving a load; a control element for controlling the power device, wherein the control element is electrically coupled with the power device through a wire therebetween; a spacer element; first and second heat radiation plates; and a resin mold. The power device is sandwiched between the first and second heat radiation plates. The space element is disposed between the power device and the second heat radiation plate so that the wire does not contact the first and second heat radiation plates. The control element is sandwiched between the first and second heat radiation plates. The second heat radiation plate includes an opening. The control element faces the opening of the second heat radiation plate. The resin mold molds the first and second heat radiation plates, the power device, the spacer element and the control element.

In the above device, since the wire between the output power device and the driving IC is short, the output power device is controlled with high speed. Further, a mounting area of the output power device and the driving IC is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an inverter system;

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a semiconductor module according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view showing the module taken along line IIB-IIB in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a cross sectional view showing the module taken along line IIC-IIC in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view showing a power device in the semiconductor module;

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a HVIC in the module, FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the HVIC, and FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view showing the HVIC taken along line IVC-IVC in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a semiconductor module according to a modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a HVIC according to the modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a semiconductor module according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view showing the module taken along line VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a semiconductor module according to a modification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a semiconductor module according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view showing the module taken along line IXB-IXB in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a semiconductor module according to a modification of the third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a semiconductor module according to another modification of the third embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a semiconductor module according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a cross sectional view showing the module taken along line XIIB-XIIB in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view showing a semiconductor module according to a modification of the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing a semiconductor module according to a fifth embodiment, FIG. 14B is a cross sectional view showing the module taken along line XIVB-XIVB in FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14C is a cross sectional view showing the module taken along line XIVC-XIVC in FIG. 14A; and

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing a semiconductor module according to a sixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

A load driving device is suitably used for an inverter system of a EHV (i.e., electric and hybrid vehicle). FIG. 1 shows the inverter system, and FIGS. 2A-2C show a semiconductor module. FIG. 3 shows a power device such as an IGBT, and FIGS. 4A-4C show a HVIC (i.e., high voltage IC).

In FIG. 1, the inverter system includes the semiconductor module 10, a photo coupler 40, a control circuit 50, a capacitor 60, a main battery 70 and a motor 80. The semiconductor module 10 is an inverter having a power device portion 20 and a driving IC portion 30. Here, PL represents a power source line, and GL represents a ground line.

The main battery 70 is a direct current power source, and formed from a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery and a nickel hydrogen battery. The main battery 70 supplies a direct current to the inverter such as the semiconductor module 10. The capacitor 60 is a smoothing capacitor, and connected between the power source line PL and the ground line GL so that the capacitor 60 reduces influence to the inverter caused by voltage fluctuation. The motor 80 is, for example, a three-phase alternating current motor, and receives the alternating current from the inverter so that the motor 80 generates rotational driving force.

A torque instruction value of the motor 80, a current value of each phase in the motor and an input voltage of the inverter are inputted into the control circuit 50 so that the control circuit 50 calculates a voltage of each phase coil in the motor 80. The control circuit 50 outputs calculation results through the photo coupler 40. The current value of each phase on the motor 80 is detected by a current sensor (not shown). The input voltage of the inverter is detected by a voltage sensor (not shown). Further, the torque instruction value and the motor rotation speed are inputted into the control circuit 50 so that the control circuit 50 calculates a target value, i.e., an optimum value, of the input voltage of the inverter. The control circuit 50 calculates a duty ratio of the output power device, i.e., the IGBT 20 a on the basis of the target value of the input voltage, the input voltage of the inverter and the voltage of the main battery 70. The duty ratio of the IGBT 20 a provides to coincide the input voltage of the inverter with the target value. The calculation results of the duty ratio are outputted from the control circuit 50 through the photo coupler 40. Here, the output of the calculation results is provided by a PWM signal.

In general, a main battery of an inverter system has a high voltage in a range between 100 volts and 400 volts. Specifically, regarding motor control for a vehicle such as an electric vehicle and a hybrid electric vehicle, a main battery has high voltage such as direct voltage of 650 V. Thus, to drive the IGBT 20 a connecting to a high voltage side of the main battery 70, an electric potential of a gate electrode of the IGBT 20 a is required to be higher than the high voltage of the main battery 70. Accordingly, signal transmission between the control circuit 50 and the semiconductor module 10 is performed through the photo coupler 40.

The semiconductor module 10 includes a power device portion 20 and a driving IC portion 30. The power device portion 20 includes the IGBT 20 a as an output power device, and a diode 20 b as a rectification element such as a free wheel diode. Two IGBTs 20 a and a HVIC 30 a provide a unit. The HVIC 30 a corresponds to the two IGBTs 20 a. The HVIC 30 a is a driving IC. The unit provides a U-phase arm, a V-phase arm or a W-phase arm. Each arm is connected in parallel between the power source line PL and the ground line GL. A diode 20 b is connected between a collector and an emitter of each IGBT 20 a. The diode 20 b flows the current from the emitter side to the collector side of the IGBT 20 a. A connection point between the diode 20 b and the IGBT 20 a in each arm is connected to a phase terminal of the phase coil in the motor 80.

The driving IC portion 30 is formed from the HVIC 30 a and the like. The driving IC 30 includes a floating potential reference gate driving circuit 31 and a ground reference gate driving circuit 32. The floating potential reference gate driving circuit 31 has a reference of the floating potential, which is higher potential. The ground reference gate driving circuit 32 has a reference of the ground potential, which is lower potential. The floating potential reference gate driving circuit 31 drives the IGBT 20 a connecting to the high potential side of the main battery 70 on the basis of the signal outputted from the control circuit 50. The ground reference gate driving circuit 32 drives the IGBT 20 a connecting to the low potential side of the main battery 70 on the basis of the signal outputted from the control circuit 50.

The driving IC portion 30 provides a detection means and a protection means. Specifically, the driving IC portion 30 detects malfunction based on the signal outputted from a sensor S such as a temperature sensor, an over current sensor, excess voltage sensor and a short-circuit sensor. The sensor S is mounted on power devices 21 a, 21 b. On the basis of the detection results, the driving IC portion 30 protects the IGBT 20 a.

Next, the construction of the semiconductor module 10 is described. FIGS. 2A-2C show one of the arms in the inverter shown in FIG. 1. Here, the U-phase arm, the V-phase arm and the W-phase arm have the same construction shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

The semiconductor module 10 includes the power devices 21 a, 21 b, the HVIC 30 a, and a pair of electrode plates 22, 27 as a second electrode plate. Each power device 21 a, 21 b includes the IGBT 20 a and the sensor S, which are mounted and packaged.

The IGBT 20 a is a trench gate type FS IGBT (i.e., field stop insulated gate bipolar transistor), as shown in FIG. 3. The IGBT 20 a includes a semiconductor substrate 201, which is made from a FZ (floating zone) wafer having a N conductive type and provides a drift layer. The substrate 201 has an impurity concentration of, for example, 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻³. A base region 202 is selectively formed in a surface portion on a first principal surface of the substrate 201. The base region 202 has a P conductive type and provides a first semiconductor region. The base region 202 is disposed in an IGBT forming region.

A trench 203 is selectively formed in the base region 202. The trench 203 penetrates the base region 202 from the first principal surface of the substrate 201. The bottom of the trench 203 reaches the semiconductor substrate 201. The trench 203 has the diameter of 1 μm and the depth of 5 μm. A gate insulation film 204 made of, for example, an oxide film is formed on the bottom and the sidewall of the trench 203. A gate electrode 205 is formed in the trench 203 through the gate insulation film 204. The gate electrode 205 is made of poly silicon having an impurity concentration of 1×10²⁰ cm⁻³.

An emitter region 206 is selectively formed in the base region 202. The emitter region 206 is adjacent to the sidewall of the trench 203, i.e., the emitter region 206 is adjacent to the gate electrode 204 through the gate insulation film 204 therebetween. The emitter region 206 has the N⁺ conductive type and provides a second semiconductor region in a surface portion of the first principal surface of the substrate 201. The emitter region 206 has a thickness of 0.5 μm and an impurity concentration of 1×10¹⁹ cm⁻³. A contact region 207 is formed between two emitter regions 206. The contact region 207 has the P⁺ conductive type. The contact region 207 is electrically connected to an emitter electrode 209. The emitter electrode 209 is made of aluminum or copper material, and formed on the substrate 201 through an interlayer insulation film 208 therebetween.

A field stop layer 211 having the N conductive type, a collector layer 212 having the P⁺ conductive type, a connection layer 213 made of a Ti/TiN/Ti multilayered film and a collector electrode 214 are formed in a surface portion of a second principal surface of the substrate 201.

Preferably, the emitter electrode 209 and the collector electrode 214 are made of material having thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to the electrode plates 22, 27 so that thermal stress caused by difference of thermal expansion coefficient between the IGBT 20 a and the electrode 22, 27 is reduced. For example, when the electrode plates 22, 27 are made of copper, the emitter electrode 209 and the collector electrode 214 are made of copper series material.

The IGBT 20 a together with the sensor S are mounted and packaged on the substrate 201. The sensor S detects malfunction of the power device 21 a, 21 b.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, each power device 21 a, 21 b are mounted on the electrode plate 22 with a connection member 23, which is made of conductive material such as solder. The power device 21 a, 21 b is electrically connected to and mounted on the electrode plate 22. The power device 21 a, 21 b is electrically connected to a spacer element 25 with a connection member 24 made of conductive material such as solder. Specifically, the spacer element 25 is disposed on one side of the power device 21 a, 21 b, the one side opposite to a mounting surface of the electrode plate 22. The spacer 25 is electrically connected to the second electrode plate 27 with the connection member 26 made of conductive material such as solder. Accordingly, the power device 21 a, 21 b are electrically connected to each other with the electrode plates 22, 27.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the electrode plates 22, 27 are made of metal such as copper. Each electrode plate 22, 27 includes a heat radiation portion 22 a, 27 a and a terminal portion 22 b, 27 b. The power device 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are mounted on the heat radiation portion 22 a, 27 a. The terminal portion 22 b, 27 b protrudes from a resin mold 29. The electrode plate 22, 27 is used for an electrode of the power device 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a, and further, for a heat radiation member for the power device 21 a, 21 b. Although two electrode plates 22, 27 are formed in the power device portion 20, only one electrode plate 22, 27 may be formed in the power device portion 20 in some cases where it is required for a semiconductor chip such as the power device 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a mounted on the electrode plate 22, 27 to have at least one electrode plate 22, 27 as a heat radiation plate. Alternatively, the chip may be mounted on one electrode plate, and a heat radiation plate may be mounted on one side of the chip such that the heat radiation plate is not electrically connected to the chip, the one side opposite to a mounting surface of the electrode plate.

The HVIC 30 a is mounted on and fixed to the electrode plate 22, on which the power devices 21 a, 21 b are mounted. Specifically, the HVIC 30 a is mounted on the electrode plate 22 with the connection member 23 such as solder. The HVIC 30 a is also connected to the spacer element 25 with the connection member 24 such as solder. Further, the spacer element 25 is connected to the electrode plate 27 with the connection member 26 such as solder.

The power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are electrically connected to each other with a wire W. The power device 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are connected to the signal terminal 28 with the wire W. The power devices 21 a, 21 b, the HVIC 30 a, and the electrode plates 22, 27 are integrally molded and sealed with the resin mold 29 so that they are packaged. At least one part of the electrode plate 22, which is opposite to the mounting surface of the power device 21 a, and at least one part of the electrode plate 27, which is opposite to a connection surface of the power device 21 a, are preferably exposed from the resin mold 29 so that heat radiation performance is improved.

The spacer element 25 electrically connects between the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the electrode plate 27. Further, the space element 25 maintains a distance between the electrode plates 22, 27 to prevent the wire W from contacting the electrode plate 27. The spacer element 25 radiates heat to the electrode plate 27, the heat generated in the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a.

Thus, since the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are mounted on the same electrode plate 22, the mounting area is reduced. Further, the length of the wire W among the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a, which is defined as a wiring distance, becomes shorter. Thus, the power devices 21 a, 21 b are controlled with high speed. Furthermore, the HVIC 30 a is capable of detecting malfunction with high speed, and protection speed based on the malfunction detection result also quickens. Accordingly, the protection function is improved.

The diode 20 b may be an independent body from the power device 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a. The diode 20 b may be mounted on the same electrode plate 22. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the diode 20 b such as a FWD (i.e., free wheel diode) may be mounted on the same electrode plate 22, on which the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are mounted. The diode 20 b is electrically connected to the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a with the wire W. Thus, the diode 20 b, the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are mounted on the same electrode plate 22 so that the mounting area is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the HVIC 30 a includes a high voltage LDMOS transistor formed in a SOI substrate.

As shown in FIG. 4A, multiple gate driving power devices PD such as high voltage LDMOS transistors and multiple pads 36 a, 36 b corresponding to a source S and a drain D of each power device are formed on a substrate 300. Each power device is electrically connected to the pad 36 a, 36 b with a wire 301 made of aluminum or copper. The wire 301 includes a first type wire 301 connecting to the source pad 36 a and a second type wire 301 connecting to the drain pad 36 b, which are arranged to be a lattice shape. Preferably, the wire 301 is made of material having a thermal expansion coefficient equal to the electrode plate 27 so that thermal stress caused by difference of thermal expansion coefficient between the HVIC 30 a and the electrode plate 27 is reduced. For example, when the electrode plate 27 is made of copper, the wire is made of copper series material.

In the HVIC 30 a formed of a SOI substrate, copper composing the electrode plate 27 may have a thermal expansion coefficient, which is different from that of silicon composing the SOI substrate. In general, a chip such as the HVIC 30 a formed of a SOI substrate is sensitive to stress, so that the high voltage LDMOS transistor formed in the SOI substrate may be affected by the stress. Specifically, transistor characteristics of the LDMOS transistor may be affected by the stress. Thus, it is considered that the chip, i.e., the HVIC 30 a, is thinned. For example, a thickness of the chip is in a range between 190 μm and 400 μm. Thus, the stress caused by difference of thermal expansion coefficient between the electrode plate 27 and the chip is reduced. However, when the chip is thinned, chip performance may be deteriorated by crystal defect and/or chip characteristics may be changed by stress. However, in the present embodiment, the wire 301 is made of the material having the thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to the electrode plate 27 without thinning the chip; and therefore, the stress is reduced without deteriorating the chip performance.

Although the wire 301 has a lattice shape shown in FIG. 4B, the wire 301 may have a hounds-tooth shape shown in FIG. 6. In both cases, the local concentration of stress is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 4C, in the high voltage LDMOS transistor, an embedded oxide film 304 is formed on the substrate 300 as a support substrate made of silicon. A N⁺ conductive type layer 302 and a N⁻ conductive type layer 303 as a device layer are formed on the embedded oxide film 304. A groove is formed in the N⁺ conductive type layer 302 and the N⁻ conductive type layer 303. The groove has a ring shape and provides an insulation separation trench 305, which reaches the embedded oxide film 304. Thus, an island shaped device forming region DR surrounded with the embedded oxide film 304 and the insulation separation trench 305 is formed on the substrate 300. Multiple device forming regions RD having the same construction are also formed on the substrate 300. Each device forming region RD is electrically insulated with the embedded oxide film 304 and the insulation separation trench 305.

The high voltage LDMOS transistor is formed in the device forming region RD. Specifically, a P conductive type region 308 and a N conductive type region 309 are formed in a surface portion of the N⁻ conductive type layer 303. The P conductive type region 308 is separated from the N conductive type region 309. A P⁺ conductive type source region 307 and a N⁺ conductive type source region 306 are formed in the P conductive type region 308. A N⁺ conductive type drain region 310 is formed in the N conductive type region 309.

Further, a LOCOS oxide film is formed on the N⁻ conductive type layer 303 between the P conductive type region 308 and the N conductive type region 309. A gate oxide film is arranged on a surface of the P conductive type region 308 between the LOCOS oxide film and the N⁺ conductive type source region 306 and on a surface of the N⁻ conductive type layer 303. A gate electrode G is formed on the gate oxide film. A source electrode S is formed on a surface of the P⁺ conductive type source region 307 and on a surface of the N⁺ conductive type source region 306. A drain electrode D is formed on a surface of the N⁺ conductive type drain region 310. The gate electrode G, the source electrode S and the drain electrode D are electrically connected with the wire 301.

The substrate 300 includes an embedded layer 313 made of copper, which is disposed in a part of the substrate 300 corresponding to the device forming region DR. The embedded layer 313 is made of material having thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to the electrode plate 22. By using the embedded layer 313, even when the electrode plate 22 is made of copper, the thermal stress caused by difference of thermal expansion coefficient between the HVIC 30 a and the electrode plate 22 is reduced.

In general, when a semiconductor chip is formed of a SOI substrate, stress may be caused by difference of thermal expansion coefficient between copper providing the electrode plate 22 and silicon providing the SOI substrate. Further, a crack may be generated in the connection member 23 because of the difference of thermal expansion coefficient. Further, since the transistor characteristics of the chip are sensitive to the stress, i.e., much affected by the stress, the transistor characteristics of the high voltage LDMOS transistor is affected by the stress easily. Thus, when the chip such as the HVIC 30 a is thinned to be, for example, 190 μm to 400 μm, the stress caused by difference of thermal expansion coefficient between the electrode plate and the chip may be reduced. However, when the chip is thinned, chip performance may be deteriorated by crystal defect and/or chip characteristics may be changed by stress. However, in the present embodiment, the embedded layer 313 is formed in a part of the substrate 300, which corresponds to the device forming region DR, and the embedded layer 313 is made of material having thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to the electrode plate 22. Thus, the stress is reduced without deteriorating the chip performance.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a semiconductor module, and FIG. 8 shows another semiconductor module, according to a second embodiment.

The above semiconductor modules have difference from the module shown in FIG. 1, which is a mounting position of the HVIC 30 a in the semiconductor module.

In FIG. 7A, the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the diode 20 b are electrically connected to the electrode plate 22 with the wire W, and the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the diode 20 b are mounted on the plate 22 with a connection member (not shown) made of conductive material such as solder so that they are electrically connected to the plate 22. As shown in FIG. 7B, the HVIC 30 a is formed on the power device 21 a with the connection member 24. Thus, the power device 21 a and the HVIC 30 a are electrically connected to each other. The spacer element 25 is electrically connected to and mounted on the HVIC 30 a with the connection member 24. The spacer element 25 is electrically connected to the electrode plate 27 with the connection member 26.

The power devices 21 a, 21 b are electrically connected to the signal terminal 28 with the wire W. The power devices 21 a, 21 b, the HVIC 30 a and the electrode plates 22, 27 are integrally molded and sealed with the resin mold 29 so that they are packaged.

Thus, the HVIC 30 a is not directly mounted on the electrode plate 22, but the HVIC 30 a is mounted on the electrode plate 22 through the power device 21 a therebetween. The difference of thermal expansion coefficient between silicon providing the HVIC 30 a and copper providing the electrode plate 22 is suppressed. Thus, the stress is limited to generate in the HVIC 30 a, and the crack is limited to generate in the connection member 24.

When the HVIC 30 a is mounted on the power device 21 a, the spacer element 25 may be mounted on the power device 21 a through the connection member 24 therebetween. Thus, the spacer element 25 is not mounted on the HVIC 30 a but the power device 21 a.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a semiconductor module, FIG. 10 shows another semiconductor module, and FIG. 11 shows further another semiconductor module, according to a third embodiment.

The above semiconductor modules have difference from the module shown in FIG. 1, which is an electrode plate.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are mounted on the electrode plate 22 through the connection member 23, and electrically connected to the electrode plate 22 with the wire W. The power devices 21 a, 21 b are electrically connected to the spacer element 25 with the connection member 24. Specifically, the spacer element 25 is bonded to one side of the power devices 21 a, 21 b, the one side which is opposite to the electrode plate 22. Further, the spacer element 25 is connected to the heat radiation plate 271 with the connection member 26. The heat radiation plate 271 is made of, for example, copper, and has an opening corresponding to the HVIC 30 a. Thus, in the semiconductor module shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the heat radiation plate 271 is not formed on a position corresponding to the HVIC 30 a but on another position corresponding to the power devices 21 a, 21 b. This heat radiation plate 271 is a second electrode plate having heat radiation property. The heat radiation plate 271 is provided by dividing the electrode plate 27.

The power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are electrically connected to the signal terminal 28 with the wire W. The power devices 21 a, 21 b, the HVIC 30 a, the electrode plate 22 and the heat radiation plate 271 are molded with the resin mold 29 so that they are packaged.

The heat radiation plate 271 has the opening corresponding to the HVIC 30 a, and the heat radiation plate 271 is formed at a position corresponding to the power devices 21 a, 21 b. Thus, the heat generated in the power devices 21 a, 21 b is radiated. Further, since the heat radiation plate 271 has the opening corresponding to the HVIC 30 a, the difference of thermal expansion coefficient between silicon providing the HVIC 30 a and copper providing the heat radiation plate 271 is suppressed. Thus, the stress is limited to generate in the HVIC 30 a without thinning the HVIC 30 a, and the crack is limited to generate in the connection member 23.

Further, since the heat radiation plate 271 has the opening corresponding to the HVIC 30 a, in the semiconductor module 10, the photo coupler 40 may be formed on the HVIC 30 a, as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, the signal is capable of transmitting with the photo coupler 40. Although the module 10 includes the photo coupler 40 for transmitting the signal, the module may have an electro-magnetic element or an electro-static element.

Alternatively, the heat radiation plate 271 may have an opening only corresponding to the HVIC 30 a, as shown in FIG. 11. Further, the heat radiation plate 271 may provide an electrode plate having heat radiation function.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a semiconductor module, and FIG. 13 shows another semiconductor module, according to a fourth embodiment.

The above semiconductor modules have difference from the module shown in FIG. 1, which is a shape of an electrode plate.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the electrode plate 22 is divided into multiple portions, which are a power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1, an IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2 and another power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3. The heat radiation plate 271 as the second electrode is also divided into multiple portions, which are a first heat radiation plate 271 corresponding to the power device 21 a and a second heat radiation plate 271 corresponding to the power device 21 b.

The power device 21 a is electrically mounted on the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 with the connection member 23. Further, the power device 21 a is electrically connected to the heat radiation plate 271 through the spacer element 25 and the connection members 24, 26. The power device 21 a is mounted on one side of the heat radiation plate 271, the one side which is opposite to a mounting surface of the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1. The HVIC 30 a is electrically mounted on the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2 with the connection member 23. The power device 21 b is electrically mounted on the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3 with the connection member 23. Further, the power device 21 b is electrically connected to the heat radiation plate 271 through the spacer element 25 and the connection members 24, 26. Specifically, the power device 21 b is mounted on one side of the heat radiation plate 271, the one side which is opposite to a mounting surface of the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3. The power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are electrically connected to each other with the wire W. The power devices 21 a, 21 b, the HVIC 30 a, the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1, the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2, the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3, and the heat radiation plate 271 are molded with the resin mold 29 so that they are packaged. Thus, the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are separated from each other with the resin mold 29.

As shown in FIG. 12B, at least a part of the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1, at least a part of the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2, at least a part of the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3, and at least a part of the heat radiation plate 271 are preferably exposed from the resin mold 29 so that the heat radiation performance is improved. Specifically, the part of the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 is opposite to the mounting surface of the power device 21 a, the part of the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2 is opposite to the mounting surface of the HVIC 30 a, and the part of the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3 is opposite to the mounting surface of the power device 21 b. The part of the heat radiation plate 271 is opposite to a connection surface of the power devices 21 a, 21 b.

In this case, the length of the wire W connecting between the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a becomes short. Thus, the power devices 21 a, 21 b are controlled with high speed.

Further, the electric potential of each of the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 and the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3 is set to be different from the electric potential of the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2. Here, the power device 21 a is mounted on the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1, the power device 21 b is mounted on the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3, and the HVIC 30 a is mounted on the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2. Specifically, the plate potential of the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2 is set to be floating potential, or to control independently from the plate potentials of the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 and the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3, so that the applied electric field to the embedded oxide film in the HVIC 30 a is reduced when the HVIC 30 a is formed from the SOI substrate. Thus, the embedded oxide film in the HVIC 30 a is prevented from breakdown.

A FWD (not shown) may be disposed in a package, in which the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are packaged. The FWD, the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 are electrically connected to each other with the wire W. In this case, the FWD is accommodated in the same package of the power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a, so that the mounting area is reduced. Further, when the FWD is incorporated in the package, the diode 20 b is mounted on the HVIC 30 a with the connection member 20 b 1, as shown ion FIG. 13. In this case, the dimensions of the package are much reduced.

In this embodiment, the power devices 21 a, 21 b mounted on the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 and the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3, respectively, and the HVIC 30 a mounted on the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2 are packaged with the resin mold 29. Alternatively, the power devices 21 a, 21 b mounted on the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 and the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3, respectively, the HVIC 30 a mounted on the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2 and the FWD 20 b are packaged with the resin mold 29. Alternatively, at least one power device for driving the load and a driving IC for driving the power device may be independently mounted on different electrode plates, and they may be integrally sealed with a resin mold so that they are packaged. Here, the driving IC is electrically connected to the power device with a wire, and one of the electrode plates is a power device electrode plate for mounting the power device, and the other one of the electrode plates is an IC electrode plate for mounting the driving IC.

Fifth Embodiment

FIGS. 14A to 14C show a semiconductor module, according to a fifth embodiment.

The above semiconductor modules have difference from the module shown in FIG. 1, which is a position of an electrode plate and a heat radiation member.

As shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, at least a part of the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1, at least a part of the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3 and at least a part of the heat radiation plate 271 are exposed from the resin mold 29. Here, the part of the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 is opposite to the mounting surface of the power device 21 a, and the part of the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3 is opposite to the mounting surface of the power device 21 b. The part of the heat radiation plate 271 is opposite to a connection surface of the power devices 21 a, 21 b. Specifically, the electrode plate 22 a 4, on which the HVIC 30 a is mounted, is disposed in the resin mold 29, and has an electrically floating state. A heat radiation member 90 is formed to contact the part of the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 and the part of the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3, which are exposed from the resin mold 29. The heat radiation member 90 has electric conductivity. Accordingly, the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 and the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3 have the same electric potential. The power devices, 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are separated from each other with the resin mold 29.

The electric potential of each of the power device electrode plate portion 22 a 1 and the other power device electrode plate portion 22 a 3, on which the power devices 21 a, 21 b are mounted, respectively, is independently controlled to be different from the electric potential of the electrode plate 22 a 4, on which the HVIC 30 a is mounted. Further, heat radiation performance is improved.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 15 shows a semiconductor module, according to a sixth embodiment.

The above semiconductor modules have difference from the module shown in FIG. 1, which is a shape of an electrode plate.

The power devices 21 a, 21 b are commonly mounted on an electrode plate 22 a 5 with the connection member 23 so that a ground terminal of a high potential side and a drain terminal of a low potential side conform to a common terminal. Here, the ground terminal of the high potential side is the ground terminal of the IGBT 20 a to be operated by the floating potential reference gate driving circuit 31. The drain terminal of the low potential side is the drain terminal of the IGBT 20 a to be operated by the ground reference gate driving circuit 32. The electrode plate 22 a 5 is independent from the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2, on which the HVIC 30 a is mounted. Each power device 21 a, 21 b is connected to the heat radiation plate 271 through the connection members 24, 26 and the spacer element 25. The power devices 21 a, 21 b and the HVIC 30 a are separated from each other with the resin mold 29.

Thus, the electrode plate 22 a 5 provides both of the ground terminal of the power device 21 a and the drain terminal of the power device 21 b. One of the heat radiation plates 271 connecting to the power device 21 a provides the drain terminal of the power device 21 a. The other one of the heat radiation plates 271 connecting to the power device 21 b provides the ground terminal of the power device 21 b.

Thus, the electric potential of the electrode plate 22 a 5 for mounting the power devices 21 a, 21 b thereon is set to be different from the electric potential of the IC electrode plate portion 22 a 2 mounting the HVIC 30 a thereon.

Although the power device 21 a, 21 b is the IGBT, the power device 21 a, 21 b may be a power MOS transistor, a thyristor or a bipolar transistor.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments and constructions. The invention is intended to cover various modification and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the various combinations and configurations, which are preferred, other combinations and configurations, including more, less or only a single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A load driving device comprising: a power device for driving a load; a control element for controlling the power device, wherein the control element is electrically coupled with the power device through a wire therebetween; a spacer element; first and second heat radiation plates; and a resin mold, wherein the power device is sandwiched between the first and second heat radiation plates, the space element is disposed between the power device and the second heat radiation plate so that the wire does not contact the first and second heat radiation plates, the control element is sandwiched between the first and second heat radiation plates, the second heat radiation plate includes an opening, the control element faces the opening of the second heat radiation plate, and the resin mold molds the first and second heat radiation plates, the power device, the spacer element and the control element. 